Rocking cradle



March 5, 1968 J. T. SHACKEL 3,371,353

' ROCKING CRADLE Filed. Feb, 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

6; JOSEPHTSHACKEL BY M W W March 5, 1968 J. T. SHACKEL 3,371,358

ROCKING CRADLE Filed Feb. 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 NVEN TOR.

JOSEPH TSHACKEL BY v United States Patent 3,371,358 ROCKING CRADLEJoseph T. Shackel, 14636 Bringard, Detroit, Mich. 48215 Filed Feb. 3,1%67, Ser. No. 613,906 8 Claims. (Cl. -108) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Acrib unit supported on a wheel bearing chassis for self-rocking movementrelative to the chassis. A motor provides a source of motion to the cribunit through a semi-rigid link. The link provides a motion transmittingconnection from the motor to the crib when the crib is in a balancedcondition. However, the link in response to a predetermined forceopposing the motion of the crib about its axis, assumes a non-rigidconnection between the motor and the crib.

The crib unit is mounted at a selectively variable height to the chassisby a horizontal tubular support member having a pair of locking elementsinterengageable in sockets provided in a pair of upright supports. Alever member is operable to actuate the locking elements into adisengaged position with respect to their sockets upon the release of asafety latch.

Background of the invention (1) Field of the invention.This inventionrelates to cradles and more specifically to a cradle supported forpowered rocking movement on a wheel bearing chassis, the connectionbetween the source of power and the cradle taking the form of asemi-rigid link.

(2) Description of the prior art.Motor driven cradles of the prior artgenerally comprise a cradle assembly supported for pendular movement toa suitable frame with some form of drive means arranged to achieve acontinual motion. A serious drawback inherent in conventionalmotor-driven cradle arrangements is that the driving means continues toproduce a reciprocal pivotal movement of the cradle irrespective of theposition of the infant disposed therein. It is desirable that the drivemeans provide a continuous motion of the cradle while the infant isdisposed in a normal position in the center of the crib so that theinfant is subjected to a gentle rocking motion. However, as is commonwith infants, they sometimes manage to work themselves into anunbalanced position wherein they are disposed along the sidewall of thecradle in an abnormal position. Until noticed by the mother, the infantis otfen subjected to bouncing toward and away from the sidewall of thecradle as the motor continues its driving motion. The elimination ofthis problem is one of the major features of the present inventionwherein is disclosed a novel form of link between the output of thedriving motor and the cradle. When the infant is in a normal position,the link provides a driving connection between the output of the motorand the cradle, however, when the infant is in an abnormal unbalancedposition, the link provides a non-driving connection between the motorand the cradle.

It is often desirable to adjust the height of the cradle relative to itsframe, however, the means for achieving this height adjusting feature inthe prior art requires a complicated locking apparatus. The reason forthis is the inherent requirement for a high safety factor in articlesfor retaining infantsv There must exist no possibility that the heightadjusting device can be accidentally disengaged. For this reason, asimple reliable height and adjusting device has not been available forbaby buggies. This is another major problem associated with the priorart and which is solved by the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

Summary of the invention The preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, which will be subsequently described in greater detail,obviates the aforementioned problems involved in the prior art and inaddition provides some special advantages. The preferred embodimenttakes the form of a wheeled chasis having a pair of spaced, uprightsupports and a supporting framework attached to the upright supports ata selectively variable height. A pair of pivot elements are mounted tothe supporting framework and are movable between an upright bracedposition and a collapsed position. In the upright position, the pivotsprovide a pivotable support for the cradle unit. In the collapsedposition, the cradle unit rests directly on a supporting frame so thatit is nonmovable relative to the chassis.

A suitable driving motor, which may take the form of a spring poweredmotor, a battery powered motor, an AC plug in type motor or the like, ismounted to one of the upright supports with an output member adapted torotate about a generally horizontal axis parallel to the pivotal axis ofthe cradle. Preferably, an elongated coil spring member provides a linkbetween the output member of the motor and the cradle. The coil springlink has a stiffness such that it normally provides a direct, rigidconnection between the output of the motor and the cradle so that thecradle assumes a pendular motion. However, a force applied on the cradletending to oppose the rocking motion produced by the motor causes thelink to yield so that the cradle assumes a motionless state while themotor continues to rotate.

The yieldable link provides an important advantage in that the weight ofan infant disposed in an abnormal position along the side of the cradleproduces a torque sufiicient to override the stiffness of the link sothat the cradle remains motionless until the infant is rearranged in anormal position. Another advantage of this drive arrangement is that themother can readily impose a force on the cradle effective to overridethe motor and maintain the cradle in a stationary state withoutrendering the motor inoperative.

Another feature of the preferred embodiment illustrating the inventiontakes the form of means for locking the cradle at a selected height tothe upright supports above the base of the device. The cradle issupported by a framework having a transverse supporting member spanningthe two upright members. The transverse support has spring loadedlocking elements projectable from its ends into suitable socketsprovided in the upright members. Although this arrangement for locking apair of units in a selected relative position is old, the means fordisengaging the locking elements in their respective sockets provides aspecial safety advantage over the art. This disengaging handle has asafety latch preventing inadvertent disengagement of the cradlesupporting framework from the upright supporting member. Thus, there isno possibility of an unintentional manipulation of the locking unitpermitting the cradle to collapse while the infant is disposed therein.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved motorized rocking cradle wherein the link between the output ofthe motor and the cradle achieves a continual rocking motion which canbe overridden by an opposing force applied to the cradle so that thecradle assumes a motionless state while the motor continues to operate.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a motorizedcradle arranged on a wheeled chassis and supported by a mountingarrangement permitting the cradle to be locked to the chassis at aselected height.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide asafety latch arrangement to prevent inadvertent disengagement of alocking apparatus of the type wherein a first elongated member havinglocking elements projectable into and out of its extreme ends isassociated with a pair of spaced transverse members havinglongitudinally spaced sockets for receiving the locking elements.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a buggyfor infants having a supporting framework convertible between a firstcondition wherein a cradle is fixed relative to the chassis and a secondcondition wherein the cradle is pivotably supported to the chassis.

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains upon reference to the following detailed description.

Descripiion f the drawings The description makes reference to theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to likeparts throughout the several views in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a self-rocking cradle illustrating apreferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of a section of the cradle illustrating theengagement with the drive link;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the drive motor illustrating itsconnection with the lower end of the drive link and its associatedupright suport member;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the carrier unit and illustrating themeans for pivotably supporting the cradle in a raised position with thealternative non-pivoting position illustrated in phantom;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the lockingarrangement for locking the cradle supporting frame to the chassis; and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustratingdetails of the upright support and cradle supporting framework.

Description of the preferred embodiments Now referring to the drawings,FIG. 1 illustrates a wheeled chassis generally indicated at 10 providedwith a movable supporting assembly 12. A cradle unit 14 is pivotablysupported to the supporting assembly 12 and operably connected through amotor 16 to achieve a continuous pendular motion.

The chassis 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinalextending, preferably tubular side bars 18 connected at their forwardend to a transverse, tubular forward bar 20 preferably by fixtures 22.The sidebars 18 and the forward bar 20 form a framework to which agridlike platform 24 is secured.

A conventional, pivotable wheel assembly 26 is supportably atached toeach of the fixture 22.

A sleeve 28 is slidably connected near the rear end of the sidebars 18.A downwardly directed lug 30 depends from each of the sleeves andprovides means for supporting a rear axle 32 provided with tractionwheels 34. The sleeves 28are interconnected one to the other by a brace46 and intended to be locked at a predetermined position to the sidebars 28 through a pin and socket arangement (not shown) which isreleasably connected to handles 38.

A wheel braking and locking mechanism 40 comprises a pedal 42 connectedthrough a toggle arrangement 44 to a braking bar 46. A second pedal 48is interconnected for cooperative movement with pedal 42. The pedals 42and 46 are arranged so that they are alternately in either a raised orlowered position. Thus, when the operator steps on the pedal 42 thebraking bar 46 engages the wheels 34 to lock the wheels in anonrotatable position. In this lowered position of the pedal 42, thepedal 43 is in a raised position. To disengage the braking bar 46 fromthe wheels 34, the operator steps on the raised pedal 48 to move it to alowered position, the pedal 42 goes to a raised position. Thus it can beseen that the operator actuates the braking bar 46 to either a releasedposition or a locked position by stepping on whichever pedal is in theraised position. The actuating force is always applied by the sole ofthe operators foot.

The supporting assembly 12 comprises a pair of tubular upright members50 joined at their upper end by a connecting cross bar 52. The lowerends of the uprights 50 are joined to socket portions 54 forming anintegral part of the sleeves 28.

A generally U-shaped handle bar 56 is pivotably secured at 58 to theupright members 50. A loop element 60, connected to each of the uprights50, is arranged to engage an abutment portion 62 provided on each leg ofthe handle bar 56 to hold the handle bar in a raised position. Thehandle bar 56 may therefore be locked in a horizontal position by theloops or released to a lowered downward position as desired.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a suporting fixture 64 is slidablyassociated with each of the upright members 50 and interconnected one tothe other by a transverse support member 66. The uprights 50 areprovided with a series of longitudinally spaced apertures 68. A pair ofplungers 70, are slidably disposed in the transverse support 66, andbiased by a spring member 72 toward an extended position wherein theyengage a selected pair of apertures 68 in the uprights 50.

A release handle '74 pivotably connected to the support member 66 at 76,provides means for retracting the plungers 70 through a pair of links78. The release handle 74 is movable betwen a lowered position whereinit retracts the plungers 70 from engagement with the uprights 5t) and araised position associated with the extended position of the plungers 7t A safety catch is pivotably connected to the release handle 74 andarranged such that when the handle 74 is in its raised position, thelower end of the safety catch 80 drops into one or the other of notches82 provided in the support member 66. When the safety catch 80 isengaged with one of the notches 82, the release handle 74 is lockedagainst movement toward a release position. To lower the release handle74, the safety catch 80 must be raised to a position illustrated inphantom so that the handle '74 can be lowered by an intentionalmanipulative movement.

Now, referring to FIGURE 6, the fixtures 64 also are provided withsockets 82. A U-shaped, elongated, cradle suporting member 84 hasdownwardly turned fingers 86 at the end of each of its legs which fitinto the sockets 82. An annular locking ring 88 having a depending ear90 is associated with each of the sockets 82. Each locking ring 88 isrotatable between a first position wherein the car 90 is disposed overthe finger 86 and prevents the finger 86 from being disengaged from itsrespective socl et 82, and a second position wherein the car 90 isrotated to a position wherein it clears the socket 82 to permitdisengagement of the finger 86.

A spring member 92 biases the locking ring 88 away from the socket 82and toward a locking element 94. Each locking element 94 has adownwardly depending extension 96 which engages a cutout portion 98 inthe ring 88 when the ear 90 is arranged over its associated socket 82.Thus, it can be seen that the U-shaped support 84 may be quicklyassembled and locked in a variety of selected vertical poistions to theuprights 50.

As can best be seen in FIGURE 1, a pair of springloaded legs 100 arepivotably connected to the forward portion of the support member 84through lugs 102. The lower end of the legs 100 as provided with anarrowed end (not shown) arranged to fit in sockets 104 provided infixtures 22.

Referring to F165. 1 and 4, the opposite legs of the support member 84are interconnected by a cross brace 106 joined adjacent the uprights 50.A finger 108 is movably attached to the cross brace 106 by means of apin 110 engaged in a closed elongated slot 112 formed in the finger 108.The finger 108 is movable between a raised upright position wherein aslot 114 provided at the lower end of the finger 108 clears a pin 116and a lowered upright position wherein the slot 114 engages the pin 116.In the lowered position, the finger 108 is rigidly locked in an uprightposition by the pins 110 and 116. By raising the finger 108 so that theslot 114 clears the pin 116, the finger 108 can be lowered to ahorizontal position as illustrated in phantom at 118 wherein a cutout120 formed in the finger 108 engages a locking pin 122 carried by thebrace 106. To further assist the brace 106 in retaining the finger 108in its lowered position, the finger 108 is provided with a dimpleportion 124 which engages a complimentarily shaped bulge (not shown)provided in the brace 106.

The upper end of the finger 108 has an open ended slot 126 to receive apin 128 carried by a rectangular, rigid, frame 130 defining the upperopen end of the cradle unit 14. It is to be understood that the forwardend of the support member 84 has a similarly arranged finger infant isto be disposed in the portion 132 which is fabricated from a suitableflexible, clothlike, plastic material.

A pair of handle members 134 fixed to the frame 130 provides means forlifting the cradle unit 14 away from its supporting members.

A hood assembly 136 provided with a pair of pivotably interconnectedbraces 138 and 140 is arranged for movement between a position whereinit partially encloses the upper open end of the cradle assembly 14 and acollapsed position wherein it permits access to the interior of thebasket portion 132. This motion is achieved by pivotably connecting thebrace positions 140 at their lower end at 142 to the support 130.Preferably the hood 13 5 is lowered and raised from the rearwardposition of the frame 130.

A second pair of interconnected brace members 144 and 146 are pivotablyconnected at 148 to the frame 130 and carry a transparent hood 150. Theinterconnected braces 144 and 146 are arranged such that they can becollapsed toward the forward end of the cradle unit 14 or raised to aposition wherein the transparent hood 150 cooperates with the hood 136to totally enclose the interior of the carrier unit 14. In the raisedpositions, the hoods are interconnected by a latch 152 carried by thehood 136 which engages a pin 154. Thus an infant may be disposed in thecarrier unit 14 and completely protected from the elements while at thesame time being readily observable by the mother.

Now, referring to FIG. 3 the motor 16 preferably is spring-wound by aseparable handle 156. The frame of the motor 16 carries an arcuatelocking portion 158. The locking portion has a diameter generallycorresponding to the diameter of the tubular upright 50 and carries apin 160. The pin 160 has a diameter permitting it to be engaged with oneof the apertures 68 formed in the upright 50. Thus, the motor 16 can beaffixed to the upright 50 by arranging the pin 160 wherein it engagesone of the apertures 68 and the arcuate portion 158 partially embracesthe upright 50. A locking member 162 is hinged to the motor 16 andarranged such that a slot 164 engages a threaded pin 166 carried by theportion 158. The locking portion 162 is securely fastened to the portion158 by a wing nut 168. This mounting arrangement for the motor 16permits the motor to be rigidly 6 secured to the upright 50 at aselected position relative to the cradle unit 14.

The motor 16 is preferably mounted so that an output member 170 issupported for rotation about an axis generally parallel to the axis ofpivotal movement of the cradle unit 14. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, acoiled spring member 172 provides a link between the output member 170of the motor 16 and the frame of the cradle unit 14. The lower end ofthe spring 172 has an eye portion 174 which engages an eccentricallyarranged pin 176 carried by the output member 170. A locking sleeve 178is movable towards and away from the eye 174 with a slot 180 to engagethe pin 176 to retain the eye 174 thereon.

The upper end of the spring 172 has a bent portion 182 to engage anaperture 184 defines in a short side of the frame 130 spaced from theaxis of pivotal movement of the cradle 14.

Thus, it can be seen that as the output member rotates, the spring 172provides a driving connection with the carrier 14 to produce areciprocal rotational movement about the axis of pivotal support of thecradle unit 14. The spring 172 has a stiffness such that it produces agentle rocking motion of the cradle unit 14. However, when a weight isimposed on the cradle unit 14 tending to oppose the rocking movementthereof, the spring 172 has a stiffness such that it yields or bucklesin response to rotation of the output member 170. This stiffness of thespring 172 is chosen so that when the weight of an infant in the cradleunit 14 is disposed in an abnormal position, a torgue is produced actingon the spring 172 suflicient to override the longitudinal movement ofthe spring so that the cradle portion 14 remains motionless whilepermitting the output member 172 to continue to rotate.

The motor 16 also is provided with an operating lever 186 to permit theoperator to manually actuate the motor 16 into a rotating or nonrotatingcondition.

Although I have described and illustrated but one preferred embodimentof my invention, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art to whichthe invention pertains that various changes and improvements may be madetherein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self-rocking cradle assembly comprising:

(a) a cradle unit;

(b) a frame;

(c) support means, said support means arranged to pivotally support saidcradle unit to said frame for movement about a generally horizontalaxis;

(d) motor means, said mot-or means adapted to provide a source ofcontinuous motion;

(e) a connection between said motor means and said cradle, saidconnection arranged to produce a pendular motion of said cradle unitrelative to said frame, said connection comprising an elongated link,said link having a resilient character, said link having one endconnected to the output of said motor means and the opposite endattached to said cradle unit, said link having a first condition whereinsaid link has a stiffness sufficient to transmit motion from said motormeans to said cradle uni-t and a second condition wherein said linkassumes a yieldable condition to provide a non-driving connectionbetween the output of said motor and said cradle unit where in said linkelement comprises an elongated coil spring, said coil spring yieldablein response to a predetermined longitudinal compressive force.

2. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 1, wherein said motor meansincludes a drive member, said drive member supported for rotation aboutan axis substantially parallel to the axis of pendular motion of saidcradle unit, means rotating said drive member about said axis ofrotation, said link having a connection to said drive a member laterallyspaced from said axis of rotation and a second opposite connection tosaid cradle unit laterally spaced from the axis of pendular motion ofsaid cradle unit.

3. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 2, including:

(a) ground engaging wheels supporting said frame;

(b) said frame having a pair of spaced apart support sections overlyingsaid wheels;

(c) a pivot element carried by each of said support sections, said pivotelements movable between an upright position wherein said cradle unit issuspended therefrom for reciprocal pivotal movement an-d a secondcollapsed position wherein said cradle unit is supported in a weightbearing relationship on said support members and restrained againstrelative movement with respect to said frame.

4. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame hasan upright support member, said link is releasably connected to saidcradle and said motor means, and including means releasably locking saidmotor means at a selected vertical height relative to the axis ofpendula-r motion of said cradle to said upright support member.

5. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 4, wherein said lockingmeans comprises;

(a) said upright support member having a socket;

(b) said motor means having a pair of depending, co-

operating collar halves, said collar halves arranged to releasablyembrace said upright support member;

(c) a depending lug, said depending lug affixed to one of said collarhalves, said depending lug interengageable with said socket when saidcollar halves are embracingly engaged with said upright support member.

6. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 3, wherein said frame has apair of spaced apart, parallel, elongated upright support sections; andincluding means for supporting said cradle unit at a selected heightfrom the base of said frame, said cradle supporting means comprising;

(a) a plurality of longitudinally spaced sockets provided in saidupright support members, said sockets arranged in pairs and facing oneanother;

(b) a transverse support member spanning said upright support members,said transverse support member having a tubular configuration includingopposite open ends;

(c) a bolt element associated with each of said open ends, said boltelements axially slidably disposed within said transverse supportmember;

(d) means biasing said bolt elements toward an extended position whereinthe outer ends of said bolt elements project in to a selected pair ofsockets;

(e) handle means for retracting said bolt elements from said sockets andinto said transverse support member, said handle means movable between afirst position associated with the extended position of said lockingelements and a second position associated with the retracted position ofsaid locking elements, and

(f) means releasably locking said handle means in said first position toprevent unintentional manipulation of said handle means toward saidsecond position; and

(g) means supporting said cradle unit to said transverse support member.

7. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 6, including a hoodassembly attached to said cradle unit, said hood assembly including apair of cooperating hood sections arranged for movement between a raisedposition wherein said hood halves combine with said cradle unit toprovide a totally enclosed container, and a collapsed condition whereinsaid hood halves permit access to the interior of said cradle unit.

8. A self-rocking cradle as defined in claim 7, wherein at least one ofsaid hood halves is formed of a transparent material, said transparenthood half permitting visual observation of the contents of said cradleunit when said hood halves are in said raised condition.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,0 7,209 3/1962 Nielsen 108-1463,225,365 12/1965 Miller et a1 5-109 3,311,337 3/1967 Von Hagen 108-144X 3,319,271 5/1967 Austin 5-108 CASMlR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

